Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598
Eupithecia classicata
This record describes Eupithecia classicata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with prominent discal spot and diffuse paler area immediately beyond spot. The nature of the male and female genitalia suggests that classicata is allied to E. graefii (Hulst), but the two species differ substantially in wing shape and maculation. In both sexes there is a patch of ruddy scales located within the DFW black discal dash or spot, a character often seen in graefii See Ferris' re-description, available in Print References below.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Eupitheciini
- Genus
- Eupithecia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known in Arizona from Cochise and Pinal counties, Texas from Uvalde County. Record from Oregon probably a missidentification. Type location: Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, AZ.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pupae have been found on Arizona madrone ( Arbutus arizonica ) and the larvae are presumed to eat the flowers or leaf buds of the plant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia classicata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , JoAnneRusso
Frequently Asked Questions About Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598
What is Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598?
Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598 (Eupithecia classicata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan about 21-22 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 11-13 mm. |
How do you identify Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598?
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with prominent discal spot and diffuse paler area immediately beyond spot. The nature of the male and female genitalia suggests that classicata is allied to E. graefii (Hulst), but the two species differ substantially in wing shape and maculation. In both sexes there is a patch of ruddy scales located within the DFW black discal dash or spot, a character often seen in graefii See Ferris' re-description, available in Print References below.
Where is Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598 found?
Range: Known in Arizona from Cochise and Pinal counties, Texas from Uvalde County. Record from Oregon probably a missidentification. Type location: Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, AZ.
What does Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598 eat?
The diet of the Eupithecia classicata - Hodges#7598 includes Pupae have been found on Arizona madrone ( Arbutus arizonica ) and the larvae are presumed to eat the flowers or leaf buds of the plant..